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Few concessions to business as govt extends restrictions
The government has relaxed some COVID-19 curbs for small businesses but has largely stayed the course as it extends multi-tiered public activity restrictions (PPKM) despite pressure from business groups.
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Security personnel warn residents to comply with health rules during an inspection at a coffee shop in Aceh Besar regency, Aceh, on May 25. (Antara/Irwansyah Putra)
T
he government has extended multi-tiered public activity restrictions (PPKM) once again, while loosening certain provisions to allow for more economic activity, but business players had expected more.
Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan told reporters on Sunday that the government had softened certain restrictions, especially for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and tenants in shopping malls.
He said the decision was based on three main factors: COVID-19 case numbers, the pressure on healthcare services and socioeconomic conditions.
“[President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo] really emphasized the last one, namely the socioeconomic conditions of the community,” Luhut said during an online press conference where he also pledged to enforce health protocols to prevent a surge in cases as a result of the relaxation.
Read also: Indonesia relaxes emergency curbs, vows to boost testing, tracing
The policy change loosens restrictions in areas categorized as level 4, the highest of the four-tiered PPKM system. Traditional markets selling staple foods in these areas are no longer obliged to close at 8 p.m. or serve only half the number of visitors they normally would, and markets selling non-staple foods or other goods may now remain open until 3 p.m. with reduced occupancy, after previously being closed completely.
Food vendors in open spaces in level 4 areas may now offer dine-in services again until 8 p.m., while in level 3 areas, all stalls may offer dine-in services at a quarter of the usual occupancy.
